DESIGN 702 : Design Technologies

Creative Arts and Industries

2024 Semester One (1243) (30 POINTS)

Course Prescription

A studio-based study of process and production technologies for advanced design outcomes.

Course Overview

In this studio and project-based course, students are led through a sequence of technical experiments. These focus on the development of skills in building prototypes as research probes and also as proof of concept models for design. Depending on previous exposure, students will be introduced to, and/or gain deeper, more contextual understanding through application of a range of traditional tools and emerging technologies used in design research and practice. 

Experiments include individual and team activities exploring digital and digital-physical prototyping as well as acquisition of key communication design and information visualisation skills essential to support student completion of projects across the MDes and into the professional contexts of design. 

Technologies and tools explored are likely to include: 3D modelling, UX/UI prototyping, rendering and post-processing, laser-cutting, 3D printing, CNC machining and mixed reality technologies as well as traditional shop tools. Students will also work with 2D vector-based and layout tools in undertaking contextual learning of visual communication design in a project bridging Des700 and Des701 in preparation for documentation and demonstration of major project work later in the MDes. 

Students can expect a studio-based learning environment that includes a combination of structured tutor-led workshops alongside self-directed exploration and experimentation.

Course Requirements

No pre-requisites or restrictions

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: People and Place
Capability 2: Sustainability
Capability 3: Knowledge and Practice
Capability 4: Critical Thinking
Capability 5: Solution Seeking
Capability 6: Communication
Capability 7: Collaboration
Capability 8: Ethics and Professionalism
Graduate Profile: Master of Design

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. To develop advanced skills in a range of design technologies in order to support the generation and exploration of design outcomes (Capability 1.1, 2.1, 5.1, 5.2, 6.1, 7.2 and 8.2)
  2. Analyse develop knowledge of the contexts and concepts associated with the production of design outcomes through sophisticated experimentation with designated technologies. (Capability 1.1, 2.1, 3.1, 5.1, 6.1, 7.2, 8.2 and 8.3)
  3. To develop skills in idea generation and material realisation in relation to the critical and reflective production of design outcomes. (Capability 1.1, 2.1, 2.2, 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 5.1, 5.2, 6.1, 6.2, 7.1, 7.2, 8.1, 8.2 and 8.3)
  4. To incorporate, as appropriate, a range of technological development methods for realising design outputs. (Capability 1.1, 2.2, 3.2, 4.1, 5.1, 5.2, 6.2, 7.1, 7.2, 8.1, 8.2 and 8.3)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Assignment 1 : Evolve + Adapt 50% Group & Individual Coursework
Assignment 2 : Propose, Prototype, Present 50% Group & Individual Coursework
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4
Assignment 1 : Evolve + Adapt
Assignment 2 : Propose, Prototype, Present
A total grade of 50% or higher is required to pass this course.


Teaching & Learning Methods

This course will be delivered over 12 weeks in a Studio environment. Studio sessions will be led by a team of design, research, and technical experts who will provide presentations and lead workshop activities on design methods, processes, and techniques. Each week, a design studio will be scheduled to include activities such as project workshops, project demonstrations, and feedback sessions. 

Students are expected to attend every week as each session has been designed to equip students with the necessary skills to complete all assessment activities to receive a passing grade.

Studio time will be spent each week in various combinations of the following :

Presentations: by academic and industry experts as well as student presentations of work in progress (WIP)

Demonstrations: examples of completed projects and technical experiments. Students will have access to various technologies to experience and learn from existing projects.

Discussions: presenters and students will discuss weekly topics and apply principles and analysis frameworks that will improve practice and support project progress

Workshops: presenters will run technical workshops which will include introductions to tools and techniques for both content (visual, audio) and systems (engines, programming, testing) prototyping.

Project Support: working on the skills and methods required to complete various stages of individual and group assignment submissions with the support of teaching and technical staff.

Self-guided activities: some studio sessions will be scheduled for students to have the time and access to equipment and technical support for various project WIP activities and project teamwork.

Workload Expectations

This course is a 30-point course, and you can expect each week and over 12 weeks to dedicate to at least 6 hours of lectures or studio time, a 1-hour workshop, 2 hours of reading and thinking about the content, and 15 hours per week working on assignments.

Please note that evidence of student participation may be expected on a variety of online platforms and in environments beyond the Studio and Lab spaces. Such as Canvas, Zoom, Miro, Discord, and others.

Students must regularly check on the Canvas site for specific instructions and updates.

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

Attendance is expected at scheduled activities, including tutorials and studios, to complete components of the course. Lectures will be available as recordings. Other learning activities, including tutorials and studios, will not be available as recordings. The course will not include live online events, including tutorials. The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable.

Learning Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

Part of this course may require additional resources. This may include specialised materials and services. The programme will supply these items to students at cost price and students may also choose to source these materials and services at their own expense.

Student Feedback

At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.

Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.

Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

The course has been restructured, and milestones have been revised to align with other MDes courses with a view to optimising the student experience.

Other Information

Students will be contacted via their student email addresses. You are welcome to redirect these to a private email, but it is the responsibility of students to check these messages. Please note all communications from Canvas are automatically sent to student's university emails.
Students must check Canvas regularly for updated information.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed for potential plagiarism or other forms of academic misconduct, using computerised detection mechanisms.

Class Representatives

Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Where a student faces unavoidable personal circumstances (e.g. illness or a death in the family) that mean the student is unable to submit a component of coursework, they may apply for an extension.  Requests for extensions of time must be submitted and approved using the online Extension of Time Application form available on Canvas:

https://www.forms.auckland.ac.nz/en/student/creative-arts-and-industries/design-programme-extension-of-time-application-form.html

Students should notify the Course Director/Course Coordinator of their situation as soon as practicable, and preferably before any due date. Notifications received after an assessment due date will be accepted, where this is reasonable, within the context of the course. If possible, students are encouraged to seek medical, counselling or other support from the most appropriate sources.

No extensions will be granted for problems such as accidentally erased computer files, which should always be prevented by keeping backup copies.


Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and your assessment is fair, and not compromised. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the University Website for information about how to proceed.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course students may be asked to submit coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. In exceptional circumstances changes to elements of this course may be necessary at short notice. Students enrolled in this course will be informed of any such changes and the reasons for them, as soon as possible, through Canvas.

Published on 28/10/2023 10:22 a.m.